On sunny days, the sun practically whispers to you, "Have you considered breaking out the bottle of coconut rum and having a drink?" It's science — just like how you can hear the ocean when you hold a seashell to your ear. No matter the weather, these coconut rum drinks (plus a few shots) are a one-way ticket to paradise.
13 Coconut Rum Cocktail Recipes
Coconut rum is as versatile as it is delicious. The most well-known brand is Malibu rum, but many other distillers make delicious coconut rum that's ready-made for tasty tropical-themed tiki cocktails.
1. Blue Hawaiian Drink Recipe With Coconut Rum
A traditional blue Hawaiian cocktail gets its vivid blue color from blue curaçao and its covered tiki drink status from white rum. But you can also make an even more delicious blue Hawaiian mixed drink using coconut rum.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- ¾ ounce blue curaçao
- Ice
- Pineapple wedge and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the pineapple juice, lemon juice, coconut rum, and blue curaçao.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a tiki glass or Collins glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with the pineapple wedge and cherry.
2. Coconut Aviation Cocktail
A traditional aviation cocktail is made with gin, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice. Together it creates that stunning violet color. This version retains the violet hue but replaces the maraschino liqueur with coconut rum for a tropical edge.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce coconut rum
- ¼ ounce crème de violette
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or a coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, coconut rum, crème de violette, and gin.
- Add the ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared martini glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
3. Miami Vice
Fans of 80s television probably remember Miami Vice, and this cocktail evokes the flavors and colors that were part of the show's aesthetic. The Miami Vice mixed drink is a layered frozen cocktail with layers of piña colada and strawberry daiquiri. It's sweet, tropical, and refreshing. And oh so hard to enjoy just one.
Ingredients for Piña Colada Layer
- 1½ cups crushed ice
- ½ cup fresh or frozen, crushed pineapple
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces coconut cream
- 1½ ounce coconut rum
- 1 ounce rum
Ingredients for Strawberry Daiquiri Layer
- 1½ cups crushed ice
- 1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced (or 1 cup frozen, sliced strawberries)
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- 1½ ounces rum
- 3 cherries for garnish
Instructions
- To make the piña colada layer, add all piña colada ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher.
- Rinse the blender.
- To make the strawberry daiquiri layer, put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour in alternating layers in a poco grande, hurricane, or Collins glass.
- Garnish with 3 cherries on a cocktail pick.
4. Coconut Sunrise
With vibrant orange and red hues, this delicious and colorful drink is a variation on the traditional tequila sunrise. Dare we say it's even better than the original?
Ingredients
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- ½ ounce grenadine
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the orange juice and coconut rum.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass or hurricane glass filled with ice.
- Top with the grenadine. Don't stir.
5. Piña Colada
The piña colada is made with white rum and coconut cream, but you can up the coconut game by using coconut rum in place of the white rum. In other words, you can totally go nuts for coconuts.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces cream of coconut
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- Cherry and pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and rum.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a poco grande glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry.
6. Coconut Paloma
The paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit soda. This variation uses fresh grapefruit juice, tequila, and coconut rum along with a sweet and salty rim to make this the most well-rounded cocktail you'll ever try.
Ingredients
- 1 grapefruit wedge
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 2 tablespoons white sugar or coconut sugar
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 1 ounce blanco tequila
- Ice
- 2 ounces club soda or soda water
Instructions
- Run the grapefruit wedge around the rim of a rocks or Collins glass.
- On a small plate, stir the salt and sugar together. Dip the glass into the mixture to rim it. Scoop ice into the glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the grapefruit juice, rum, and tequila.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass. Top with soda water. Stir gently.
- Garnish with the grapefruit wedge.
7. Coco-Lime Spritz
Similar to the ease and classic status of the vodka-soda-lime cocktail, the coconut and lime spritz is a simple, light, and refreshingly tropical highball that's easy to mix and easier to drink.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- Club soda
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice and coconut rum.
- Add the ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
- Top with the club soda and stir.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
8. Coconut Aperol Spritz
Aperol is a bitter Italian liqueur used as an aperitivo. It has a beautiful sunset color that makes for some gorgeous mixed drinks. So when you add coconut rum, the classic spritz becomes a sweetly tropical treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- ½ ounce Aperol
- 2 ounces Prosecco
- Ice
- 2 ounces club soda or soda water
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks or wine glass, combine the coconut rum, Aperol, Prosecco, and ice. Stir to mix.
- Add the soda water. Garnish with an orange peel.
9. Tropical White Sangria
Sangria is a popular Spanish wine punch that's a perennial summer favorite. It's perfect for parties and crowds. That being said, if you love sangria and you're looking for a tropical version, you'll love this tropical coconut rum version. It yields about ten 8-ounce servings.
Ingredients
- 750 mL fruity white wine, such as pinot grigio or muscat canelli
- 1 cup coconut rum
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 4 cups soda water
- Ice
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients. Stir.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving. Stir before serving.
10. Choco-Coco Mudslide
This frozen blender drink is absolutely coco-nuts! It's a rich and decadent boozy dessert in a glass that's a variation on the classic frozen mudslide.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce coconut rum
- 2 ounces RumChata
- 1 ounces Kahlúa
- 1 ounce heavy cream
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream and chocolate syrup for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the coconut rum, RumChata, Kahlúa, heavy cream, and vanilla ice cream. Blend.
- Pour into a milkshake glass and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
11. Ginger Coco-Cucumber Cooler
Sweet, refreshing, spicy, and lightly tropical, this cocktail offers a twist on the usual citrus flavors you mix with coconut rum for something delightfully unexpected.
Ingredients
- 3 cucumber slices, plus additional for garnish
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce ginger simple syrup
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- Club soda
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber slices with the lime juice.
- Add the ginger simple syrup, coconut rum, and ice. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with additional cucumber slices.
12. Green Hawaiian
A green Hawaiian is a melon and coconut variation of the blue Hawaiian, but this time, you'll be using Midori melon-flavored liqueur for both color and flavor. Neon is always the perfect color for anything tropical. We don't make the rules.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- 1 ounce Midori
- Ice
- Mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the pineapple juice, lemon juice, coconut rum, and Midori.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
13. Coconut Mojito
A classic mojito is made with white rum, syrup, mint, and fresh lime juice. This version adds a little tropical flare with our good friend, coconut rum.
Ingredients
- 6 mint leaves
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- 3 ounces club soda
- Lime wedges and mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle 6 mint leaves with the lime juice and simple syrup.
- Add the coconut rum and ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with crushed ice.
- Add the club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with lime wedges and additional mint leaves.
4 Coconut Rum Shooters
Shooters are a great way to enjoy coconut rum, and they're quick and simple to make. The hardest part is not enjoying them too fast.
1. Piña Colada Jello Shots
Jello shots are a fun variation on cocktails, and coconut rum makes fantastic jello shots because it blends so well with the various flavors of gelatin. Blending it with pineapple gelatin and pineapple juice makes a tasty piña colada-flavored version. This makes 12 (2-ounce) shots.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 (3-ounce) box pineapple flavored gelatin
- 1 cup coconut rum
- 12 jello shot cups
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the pineapple juice on low heat until it simmers.
- Put the gelatin in a bowl and pour the hot pineapple juice over it. Whisk to mix.
- Add the coconut rum.
- Pour into the jello shot cups and refrigerate for four hours to set before serving.
2. Coconut Café au Lait Shooter
Looking for a creamy, easy shot with plenty of coconut flavor? Try the coconut café au lait shooter. Who has time to sip a whole espresso martini? Not us.
Ingredients
- Simple syrup
- Shredded coconut
- ½ ounce Kahlúa
- ½ ounce RumChata
- ½ ounce coconut rum
- Ice
Instructions
- Dip the rim of a shot glass in simple syrup and then dip it in shredded coconut.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the Kahlúa, RumChata, and coconut rum with ice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared shot glass.
3. Melon Coconut Shooter
This bright green shooter is a sweet combo of melon and coconut with the rich and spiced flavors of the dark rum to balance all of it out.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce Midori
- ½ ounce coconut rum
- ½ ounce dark rum
- Ice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
4. Coconut Cherry Bomb
Coconut and cherry also makes for a tasty, sweet shot, and with just three ingredients, it couldn't be quicker to shake up and make.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce coconut rum
- ½ ounce white rum
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a shot glass.
4 Simple Coconut Rum Drinks
With just a few ingredients and easy processes, coconut rum drinks don't need to be complicated. Enjoy these easy-to-make and even easier-to-drink coconut rum cocktails.
1. Coconut Lemonade
Sometimes simple is best, and it doesn't get much simpler than coconut lemonade. For best results, start with freshly made lemonade. For even more coconut flavor, use coconut water in place of the water in the lemonade. Coconut on coconut on coconut.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces freshly made lemonade
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- Ice
- Lemon wheel and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemonade and rum.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig.
2. Coconut-Lime Daiquiri
A daiquiri is simply a rum sour made with lime, and it's a refreshing choice. But if you're looking for something a little sunnier, this version replaces white rum with coconut rum.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounces lime juice
- ¾ ounces simple syrup
- 1½ ounces coconut rum
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lime juice, simple syrup, and rum.
- Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
3. Coconut Rum and Pineapple Juice
Two ingredients plus ice — it's as easy as that. It's best to mix this in a cocktail shaker to help the alcohol blend with the juice.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass. Add ice if you wish.
4. Coconut Cuba Libre
The Cuba libre, or rum and coke, is a classic, easy cocktail. This version simply replaces the white rum with coconut rum. Easy as coconut pie.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces coconut rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- 4 ounces cola
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the coconut rum and lime juice. Add ice and shake to chill.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Pour in the cola.
- If desired, garnish with a lime wheel.
What Mixes Well With Coconut Rum
You can also make your own simple cocktails by knowing what flavors blend well with coconut rum. Try mixing it with:
- Ginger ale
- Ginger beer
- Club soda
- Lemonade or limeade
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Guava juice
- RumChata
- Bailey's
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Lemon-lime soda
- Cola
Tasty Coconut Rum Mixed Drinks
Coconut is a versatile flavor that can take a run-of-the-mill drink from ordinary to extraordinary. From a simple drink in the backyard to a tropical island oasis. So if you're looking for drinks with a tropical flare, don't hesitate to reach for a bottle of coconut rum. Yo, ho, ho!
